There will be thousands of cops and troops patrolling Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics, but the RCMP Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit will directly employ only 500, according to a presentation by chief operating officer Bud Mercer obtained by 24 hours.

Mercer gave the International Olympic Committee coordination commission and VANOC a planning overview on Feb. 26. Mercer outlined responsibilities, including traffic control and aviation security, but made no mention of marine security. All venues have been designated level 2, 3 or 4 on a threat assessment scale.

"If the threat level increases, the security level for one or all of the venues can be increased to respond appropriately to the threat,” according to Mercer’s Powerpoint presentation.

Federal head of Games security Ward Elcock, the former Canadian Security Intelligence Service director, was at the meeting.

V2010 ISU began its Operation Bronze tabletop exercise Wednesday. A full-scale dress rehearsal for Games security is coming next July as part of the United States-led TOPOFF 5, which is supposed to coincide with the World Police and Fire Games. Last year’s TOPOFF 4 in Portland, Ore., Phoenix and Guam drew 15,000 participants.

Meanwhile, B.C. solicitor general and public safety minister John van Dongen told 24 hours that finance and Olympics minister Colin Hansen is now handling Games security funding issues. The budget for Games’ security was $175 million, but has ballooned to more than $400 million.

Bob Mackin reports for Vancouver's 24 hours.